With Tropical Storm Ida currently dumping rain and high winds in the southeast we wanted to talk about coastal hazards.   Coastal hazards along America's shorelines threaten a significant percentage of the U.S. population.    Here is a quick beach quiz to find out how much you know about your risks.

1: What is a coastal hazard?
a)    Wind
b)    Waves
c)    Flooding
d)    All of the above
e)    None of the above

2: How many miles of shoreline does the United States have exposed to coastal hazards?
a)    7,000
b)    9,000
c)    5,500
d)    7,500

3: What percentage of the U.S. population lives in coastal areas that are susceptible to coastal hazards?
a)    25%
b)    50%
c)    75%
d)    100%

4: What is the most significant type of coastal hazard?
a)    Sea level rise
b)    Human activities
c)    Weather
d)    Beach erosion

5: How large of a wave would it take to destroy a wall designed to withstand 125 mph winds?
a)    1 ½-foot
b)    5-foot
c)    10-foot
d)    17-foot

ANSWERS:

1.  D. Coastal hazards are natural or man-made events that threaten the health of the animals and people who live along the shoreline. This includes, but is not limited to, the wind, waves and flooding related to hurricanes and tropical storms. Other types of coastal hazards include beach erosion, oil spills, harmful algal blooms and pollution.

2. A. The U.S. has more than 7,000 miles of shoreline at risk from coastal hazards that can result in loss of life and billions of dollars in damage to public and private property.

3. B. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), nearly half of the U.S. population lives in coastal areas that are susceptible to coastal hazards.

4. D. Beach erosion. The more erosion that occurs on a beach, the closer the big waves get; the bigger the waves landing on the shore, the higher the damage to buildings. The beach and dunes are the first line of protection.

5. A. It only takes a 1½-foot breaking wave to destroy a wall designed to withstand 125 mph winds. That means a 1½-foot wave can destroy an entire house.

Get more info at the American Shore&Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA).